【Beginning】
Keeper trainees stood in two lines facing each other. Every one of them stretched out their hands and gathered power in front of their abdomen. The lesson was to let trainees practice how to stably control their power. To pass, they must maintain their power in the shape of a sphere for more than half an hour.
Thirty minutes passed. A number of them released the sphere and took a rest, while the others continued to maintain their spheres in hopes of getting a higher grade. After another fifteen minutes, only a few trainees remained.
Eventually, Raphael and Uriel were the only ones maintaining their stance; both of them had sustained for more than an hour. They were both well-known for their extraordinary talent, so the trainees and the mentor were not surprised to see this. However, the test had yet to end...
- Uriel: So, it’s just the two of us. Wanna compete? To see who lasts longer.
- Raphael: That would be inappropriate. This is a test.
- Uriel: We’ve already passed and earned high grades anyway. What? Is it too difficult for you?
Uriel’s words hit Raphael’s sore spot. Raphael did not like it when anything was “out of her capability”. She had to be perfect and outstanding if she did not want to disappoint everyone.
- Raphael: No! I can do it!
The mentor was surprised to see the humble Raphael accepting the challenge. He took the role of being the judge while the other trainees secretly debated who was going to win.
【End】
Another thirty minutes passed. Sweat beads were visible on Raphael and Uriel’s face. Their mentor wondered whether he should stop them. However, the mentor had high expectations for Raphael; he wanted her to triumph over Uriel and teach that arrogant trainee a lesson.
As time passed, all who were present discussed their performance and who had the upper hand. Although Raphael was focusing on conjuring her power, she was still able to hear their discussion —
- Keeper Trainee A: Uriel is reaching her limit. Do you see those sweat beads on her face?
- Keeper Trainee B: Raphael is also shaking. I think she’s almost at her limit too.
Raphael was too focused on maintaining the power sphere to be aware of anything else. It was not until she heard them did she realize that her hands and shoulders were actually shaking. However, Uriel did not stop, so she cannot give up either. Raphael could feel the power in her hands gradually dissipating, so she quickly channeled more power from her arms to the sphere. To her surprise, that rendered her powerless; the power sphere lost control and exploded.
- Keeper Trainee A: Raphael lost? It can’t be!
Watched by an audience, Raphael was so nervous that she felt dizzy, yet not so much to faint. However, she had lost control of her power sphere and had lost to Uriel.
- Mentor: You must be exhausted. Don’t worry. Just go home and rest.
Although the mentor spoke comforting words, it was obvious he was filled with disappointment. Raphael also sensed it from the other trainees...
- Raphael: ‘I have disappointed them. I have let everyone down...’
Raphael looked at her shaking hands, wondering if she could stand before the others again and be the role model her mentor had envisioned..